Chapter 107: Uselessness

Lu Fengzhou’s voice was calm and detached. “Do you still not know what fate awaits Huo Ting?”

At the mention of Huo Ting’s name, Zou Qingqing visibly trembled, her expression stiffening.

Qiao Jiu had heard some news about Huo Ting—she was apparently about to get married soon, to a match arranged by her family. But as for what kind of family the groom belonged to, she was still unaware.

Lu Fengzhou chuckled lightly. “Why haven’t you been in touch with your good friend lately? Didn’t you always consult her whenever something came up? What’s going on recently?”

This time, Zou Qingqing didn’t cry, but the panic on her face was unmistakable.

The elderly Mr. Zou wasn’t a fool. Seeing her like this, he guessed with near certainty what had happened.

He quickly said, “Qingqing, if there’s something wrong, you need to say it immediately. Don’t cover for others. Whoever made the mistake should own up to it.”

He was clearly trying to pin everything on Huo Ting.

Lu Fengzhou gave him a faint glance. “Mr. Zou, don’t be so anxious. Let your daughter speak for herself.”

Zou Qingqing pressed her lips tightly, unable to utter a word.

Lu Fengzhou took a couple of steps toward her bedside. “Huo Ting has a habit of recording phone calls automatically. Imagine how many things she has on her phone about you.”

Zou Qingqing’s complexion shifted again. Out of Lu Fengzhou’s sight, Mr. Zou ground his teeth in frustration and snatched a cup from nearby, smashing it toward her. “You beast, what on earth have you done? Speak up now!”

The cup still held water, which splashed all over Zou Qingqing’s shoulder and face.

Yet she remained expressionless, staring rigidly at Lu Fengzhou.

Turning his gaze to Mr. Zou, Lu Fengzhou said, “Though Qiao Jiu and I are divorced, that doesn’t mean I will stand idly by if she’s being schemed against.”

Qiao Jiu curled her lips in disdain—he certainly had the audacity to say that.

He was the one who had schemed against her the most.

Mr. Zou nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Lu Fengzhou was known for a bad temper and poor reputation, but since the Zou family had business dealings with him, Mr. Zou was well aware of his character.

That was why, despite being a generation older, Mr. Zou spoke submissively before him.

Lu Fengzhou continued, “My matters with Qiao Jiu are private between the two of us. Whether good or bad, they concern no one else. If anyone tries to take advantage during this time, don’t blame me for being ruthless. I’m a man who blurs the lines between public and private, and I’m not exactly reasonable—you know that.”

Qiao Jiu turned away, fearing that Lu Fengzhou would come out after his harsh words. It wouldn’t look good if he caught her off guard.

She hurried toward the elevator.

He clearly defined himself as unreasonable and unapologetically ruthless.

Shameless, utterly shameless in the most open way.

Qiao Jiu didn’t take the elevator down but waited by the fire escape entrance. Sure enough, within minutes, Lu Fengzhou arrived, with Mr. Zou following behind.

They stood by the elevator, which hadn’t arrived yet. Mr. Zou sighed earnestly, “I’ve failed in raising my child, Mr. Lu. I truly feel sorry for Miss Qiao. If there’s time, I will bring this beast of ours to apologize to her.”

“No need,” Lu Fengzhou replied. “She likely doesn’t want to see you.”

Though Mr. Zou was unaware of how badly Zhao Shuo had mistreated Qiao Jiu, the fact that Zhao Shuo had nearly been killed and the Zhao family dared not utter a word suggested the matter was severe—just one step short of the worst.

So, hearing Lu Fengzhou’s words, Mr. Zou had no good response.

The elevator came quickly. Lu Fengzhou stepped inside, and though Mr. Zou knew he wouldn’t be welcomed, he stubbornly followed.

When the elevator descended, Qiao Jiu reconsidered and headed toward Zou Qingqing’s hospital room.

She had intended to leave, but with the old Zou man trailing behind, she thought it only right to visit Zou Qingqing before going.

At the door, Zou Qingqing was in a frenzy, smashing everything on the nearby cabinet to the floor.

One leg was in a cast; the other was fine, and she hopped around on one foot, smashing whatever she saw.

That was all the strength she had.

Qiao Jiu pushed the door open. Zou Qingqing was startled, thinking Lu Fengzhou might be making a sudden attack again.

She flinched, instinctively moving toward the bed, but stopped when she saw it was Qiao Jiu.

She disliked Qiao Jiu but was terrified at that moment, so her expression was uncertain.

Qiao Jiu smiled cheerfully. “Go ahead, keep smashing.”

Broken glass lay scattered on the floor, probably from a fallen water cup or vase.

Qiao Jiu circled once and looked out the window.

The floor wasn’t very high, and she could see the open space in front of the inpatient building. Lu Fengzhou and Mr. Zou stood there, talking about something.

Zou Qingqing returned to the bed. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here?” Qiao Jiu laughed. “You schemed against me almost to the point of being trampled by that pig. Of course, I’m here to settle scores with you.”

Zou Qingqing’s face tightened. “I didn’t.”

“At this point, can you stop pretending?” Qiao Jiu said. “Zhao Shuo has already confessed and implicated you. Do you think clinging to denial now will help?”

Zou Qingqing took a deep breath and abruptly changed the subject. “I really didn’t think you had any tricks up your sleeve. Lu Fengzhou used to want to kill you, but now he’s defending you? What do you have now—just that body to charm your way through?”

Qiao Jiu flicked her hair. “I advise you to think carefully before you speak to me. If I get unhappy, I could play dirty, just like you. But Lu Fengzhou is far more capable than Zhao Shuo. Your days will be miserable.”

Zou Qingqing’s expression stiffened; she dared not speak further.

Qiao Jiu had always thought she was useless, and now she was even more so.

She curled her lips. “I don’t know where you get the confidence to challenge me. You’ve never won before—why can’t you just learn to keep quiet instead of showing off?”

Zou Qingqing said nothing, but she was probably still not convinced.

Qiao Jiu smiled. “What’s there to be unyielding about? I’ll tell you, even if I used my body to charm Lu Fengzhou, that’s my skill. You? Even Zhao Shuo despises you. How utterly useless are you?”

Zou Qingqing’s jaw tightened—she was probably cursing under her breath.

Qiao Jiu enjoyed seeing her like this. She couldn’t stand her but couldn’t get rid of her.

After a moment, Qiao Jiu turned back and glanced downstairs.

Lu Fengzhou was just turning to leave; Mr. Zou was probably heading up.

She said, “Come on, Qingqing. I’m here to warn you—your unlucky days are coming soon. Get ready.”

After saying this, she stepped out of the room and quickly headed to the fire escape entrance. Just as she steadied herself, the elevator doors opened, and Mr. Zou came out.

He looked glum, probably after a bad conversation with Lu Fengzhou, and walked toward the hospital rooms.

She smirked slightly and went downstairs.

Just as she approached the hospital’s main entrance, she saw a car parked nearby, its window rolling down.

Lu Fengzhou rested a cigarette between his fingers on the window frame, watching her.

Qiao Jiu paused briefly before walking over.